NICOLA Sturgeon yesterday ruled out lifting Scotland’s decades-old ban on drinking at ­football matches, saying the “case has not been made”.

Labour and Conservative ministers are pushing to relax the ban on drinking at football matches

The Tories and Labour are pressing to have the no-alcohol rule axed.

At the weekend Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy launched a consultation on the issue, insisting today’s fans are paying for “the sins of their fathers’ or grandfathers’ generation”.

But the First Minister and her Health Secretary, Shona Robison, said ending the ban would be a “backwards step” in tackling efforts to reduce alcohol consumption.

During a Cabinet visit to Aberdeen Ms Sturgeon said: “I think we should not forget that the introduction of the alcohol policy at football grounds was based on very, very sound reasons.

Let’s be careful about taking a step backwards

Nicola Sturgeon

“And since that policy was introduced, I think most people would say that football matches have become more family friendly, better behaved places to be.

“The police are far from convinced this would be the right thing to do and we need to listen to that.

“But organisations who work with victims of domestic abuse are also far from convinced this is the right thing to do. I think we should be very careful at a time when we are starting to see some positive signs around falling alcohol consumption – particularly among young people – and better behaviour at football matches, let’s be careful about taking a step backwards.”

The ban was put in place following the 1980 Scottish Cup final, where drink was blamed for violent clashes between Celtic and Rangers supporters at Hampden.

Alcohol is allowed at games in England and other European countries and it has never been banned at Scotland rugby games.

But only spectators in executive hospitality areas can drink in the country’s football grounds. Ms Robison claimed ending restrictions could put further pressure on A&E departments.

She acknowledged Scottish football has changed since the 1980s but said “horrendous scenes” at this month’s Old Firm clash demonstrated there is still an ­unacceptable level of violence.

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Police made 37 arrests before and after Celtic’s 2-0 League Cup semi-final win over Rangers on February 1, including 19 in and around the stadium.

Ms Robison said: “Scotland has a difficult relationship with alcohol and our position has been to reduce alcohol consumption. I just think this goes in completely the wrong direction.”

Meanwhile, Mr Murphy denied an accusation by Les Gray, a former chairman of the Scottish Police Federation, that Labour is “electioneering” on the issue rather than demonstrating a genuine concern about fans’ enjoyment.

Mr Gray has accused Labour and the Conservatives of “chasing votes” ahead of the general election in May.

Mr Murphy said: “That’s a desperate attempt to turn a proper conversation about football and alcohol into an election issue.